"Go and see her Appa," Wolfe encouraged and gave him assurance things were all right.

"Aidoo, Appa," Willow however had some warnings for her. "I don't know what happened but few minutes after we came, she went from good mood to bad mood,"

​​

"So you'd better prepare," She added and made a face at him.

"Why?" Darryl raised a brow at it.

"I don't know but just go to appease her," Willow instructed. "Imma is like a tiger when she's mad, I don't like it,"

"Shall we go and see her then?" Darryl stood, not wasting more time to see his wife.

"No way I'm going there," Willow refused. "Go and appease her first, I think it's your fault why she's mad,"

"How about you Wolfe?"

"I don't want to listen to adult conversation so I'll just stay here," Wolfe had other reasons but the truth was he had the same reasons as Willow. He had seen his Imma's face earlier and he didn't want to see such a sight. Although Xhemin was always sweet and gentle with them, they still fear her angry face.

Darryl felt things were unreal and that he must be dreaming. There's no way Xhemin was home, there is no way his wife was home. She had long given up on them, she had long been tired of their love and he had caused too much pain; it was even impossible for her to find happiness in the terrible past he brought her. Yet, his children were there at the tree house and what they said was right, they cannot cross without her. He was even wondering how to pass through the par line with one sunstone when such a stone was only meant for one but there were three of them.

Darryl walked hastily back inside the house, leaving the children who insisted on playing on the tree house. His feet were shaking and it felt like he was about to fall any moment. He wished fervently that if what was happening right then was a dream, then he chose not to wake up from it because out of all the terrible things that happened in his life, his wife coming back to him was his redemption. She was what all he needed in such a cruel journey and no matter how chaotic their road toward each other, she will always be worth all his battles.

As soon as he stepped into the living room, he could hear all the utensils and plates ringing at the kitchen giving much of an assurance that there was indeed a person there. Earlier he thought it was Princess Song and yet his children told him it was his wife and that she was mad. Whatever she was mad about? He didn't really care, all he wanted was to see her.

Darryl entered the kitchen's door and what welcomed him first was the smoke and fire coming from the cooking area. In there, a soup was being cooked and beside it fishes were being roasted. The smell of the soup caught his attention and its fragrance made him aware how delicious it was. However, his attention didn't linger on it long because right at the kitchen sink, his wife—Xhemin was there washing something. She was wearing traditional Manngan clothes, something she previously wore that Darryl suspected she found around the house. Her long hair was tied on a bun, like she always did prior to her being Ava Leigh and her face was bare which he rarely saw at the mainland ever since she came back from hiding. Since she came back as a high profiled businesswoman, she was always on makeup and only then did he see her bare face again, after so many years, like she had gone a few years younger and that she never left the island.

Darryl smiled seeing how she blended perfectly at his household like she was meant for it and he lavished himself with her beauty for a while looking thoroughly at the details of her being. She was indeed home, his wife was indeed home.

After a few minutes, Xhemin already noticed his presence and she immediately stopped what she was doing to look at him. They all looked at each other for a while, conversing through their eyes like they could understand each other by just it. No words needed. No other cues required.

"You're awake," Xhemin broke their silent conversation and smiled at him lovingly. The smile that flushed in her face broke all Darryl's control then and so, he ended up running to her and caught her in his arms for a tight embrace. She was so real and beautiful it took his breath away and the feeling that ran through his veins felt like the time he first saw her and fell in love. For such a long time, he felt wonderful and it was worth all the wait.

His wife in his arms felt so warm it melted all the hurt, loneliness and regret he had. All the misfortunes he had in his life shrink little compared to the comfort she gave, that in a moment, it was all blown in the wind like it didn't even happen. She had always been his salvation and right then, she had saved him once more.

"You came home," He almost teared up but he didn't want to cry on such a happy day so get a hold of himself. He couldn't absorb what was going on and he had too many questions but he just couldn't bring it up right then when he was all frantic, like his veins were gonna burst with joy. In the end, he just clung to such a long embrace, feeling all of her, her softness, her fragrance, her heartbeat like it was all his and his alone.

****

"You came home my love," Darryl pulled her chin up so he could see his wife's beautiful bare face. She looked so young and Xhemin-like without make-up on but instantly, her eyes that previously shone bright at the sight of him, turned into something else. Anger filled it up in an instant.

"My love?" Her voice was dry "You always call me milady. So who is this person you call my love?